Retire in Cambodia

Perhaps no other country in Asia makes it easier for expats to come and retire with a minimum of bureaucracy, red tape and financial requirements.

In Cambodia, all you need to do is purchase a visa-on-arrival at the airport by filling out a short form, providing two passport photos and paying $45 for a “business” or “ordinary” visa, which will be valid for one month.

Once you are in the country all you have to do is extend your visa for a one-year period—at a cost of less than $400—which allows you to live in the country and come and go at your leisure, without the stringent income requirements needed by many other Southeast Asian countries. As long as you behave yourself, the authorities are happy to welcome another foreign guest to their country to support the local economy.

The major cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer all the modern comforts you could wish for thanks to the country’s economic expansion, which has been happening since the 1990s. There are lots of international banks, restaurants, bars, hotels, serviced apartments, shopping centres, cinemas, telecom and internet providers and much more.

This all makes the relocation process so much easier, as an expat can quickly come to Cambodia and set themselves up with accommodation, a bank account, a phone number, internet access and every other mod con within a few weeks.

What Does it Cost to Retire in Cambodia?

Cambodia offers one of the lowest costs of living in Southeast Asia, making it an ideal destination for any retiree on a modest budget—there are many expats who have relocated to Cambodia precisely due to the sheer affordability of the country.

So, how much will it cost you to live in Cambodia? There is no fixed answer, but among the many expats we have talked to their monthly budgets tend to range from as low as $1,300 up to $3,300, with many saying they can live comfortably for an average of $2,000.

Accommodation tends to make up the largest monthly expense, but rentals in places like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap can be found for as little as $325 for a one-bedroom apartment in a pleasant area.

The cost of utilities like electricity will depend on whether you are a slave to air-conditioning or if you are content with a simple fan. Either way, most expats spend around $130 each month for their electricity, water, rubbish and Pay TV bills combined. As for mobile phones and mobile internet, it’s very cheap here, with $13 a month being enough to keep you online and making international calls costing less than 10 cents a minute.

For those who don’t wish to spend their time housekeeping, you can hire a maid who will wash your clothes and clean your house several times a week for $65 a month, which is well worth the investment for those who would rather spend their time with more leisurely pursuits.

Groceries remain cheap and plentiful in the many supermarkets and minimarts in the major cities, as do the large number of local and international restaurants where meals can be had from just a few dollars.

If you are looking to retire in comfort without having to scrape every cent together to survive, then Cambodia may well be the ideal destination for your new life of luxury. Thousands have already made the move and the opportunity is now open to you as well.

Cambodia is known as “The Kingdom of Wonder” for many a good reason. Tourists come in their millions each year to experience the spectacular temples of Angkor Wat, while foreign investors and business professionals are attracted by the booming economy. But why exactly are people choosing to retire in Cambodia? “Because Cambodia makes retirement fun!” Read more...

One of the many benefits to life in Cambodia is I’m perfectly placed for exploring all the delights of Southeast Asia. And the low costs here mean I can live a jet-set lifestyle even on a budget. Often on my travels I’ll end up chatting with fellow passengers who want to know more about my life in Cambodia.

One of the great things about living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, is that even a pauper can afford to live like a prince. The cost of living is incredibly low. Rent can be as little as a few hundred dollars a month for a decent apartment in the heart of the city and the cost eating out is so reasonable that you’ll never have to cook ever again.

Starting a new life in Cambodia as an expat can be a fantastic journey with all kinds of fun to be had. In the initial arrival period you will likely spend most of your time getting used to the culture, acclimatising to the weather and finding a nice place to call home...

Cambodia is known throughout the world as the Kingdom of Wonder. My life here as an expat has long proven to me that it truly deserves that title. This magical country never ceases to amaze me and nor do the many ways in which the quality of my life has improved since moving here.

“I was a workaholic,” Bob Coleman says. “Then one day I thought of all the places I hadn’t seen and I decided right there and then that something had to change.” At age 55, Bob started his international travels in Southeast Asia, visiting Penang, Malaysia and the Thai capital, Bangkok. “After a few trips I realised retirement could set me free; that I didn’t have to limit myself to one location for the rest of my life.”

Once famed as the “Pearl of Asia”, the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, has lots to offer expats. You’ll find a stunningly low cost of living, bustling markets and a thriving food scene, set to a backdrop of colonial French architecture and Buddhist temples. Expat John Grady, 65, discovered all this and more when he moved here. It was Phnom Penh’s beauty, and its people’s warmth, which inspired him to start taking photos as a way to supplement his retirement income.